Transport Class 4 Notes SST

Introduction

Transportation is all about how we move people and goods from one place to another. This chapter explores the different ways we get around—by land, water, and air. In India, transportation plays a crucial role in connecting remote areas, supporting the economy, and making travel easier and faster. From roads and railways to ships and airplanes, each mode of transport has its own unique importance and challenges. Understanding these systems helps us see how they contribute to the development and functioning of the country.

Types of Transports 

There are different types of transport like land, water, and air because we need to move people and things in many ways. Each type is important: roads help us reach nearby places, ships carry heavy goods across oceans, and airplanes get us to far places quickly. These different ways of transport help us stay connected and get what we need, no matter where we are.

Land Transport

Land transport means using roads to move people and goods. In India, road transport is super important for the economy because it connects most parts of the countryside and places that railways can't reach. 

There are two types of roads: Surfaced Road and Unsurfaced Road.

Surfaced Roads

Surfaced roads are made of materials like cement, concrete, or bitumen. Most cities and highways have these roads, and they work in all kinds of weather.

Surfaced(Metallic) Road

1. Important cities are connected by these roads, and they can be built in places where railways can't go, like in Leh and Manali, where they've built the highest roads in the world.
2. Roads carry most of the traffic in India and are really crucial for the economy.
3. The government has taken up big projects to build roads, like the Golden Quadrilateral.

Unsurfaced Roads

Unsurfaced roads are simple paths widened for carts. They're not properly built like surfaced roads

Unsurfaced (non metallic) Roads

1. These roads are important in villages and suburbs, and they're usually used by bullock carts with wooden wheels and iron rims.
2. Bullock carts are really old transportation vehicles. Sometimes, camels are used instead of bullocks in places like Rajasthan.
3. Unsurfaced roads become muddy in the rainy season and are hard to use, but they're gradually being changed into surfaced roads.
    
   
   India – Network of Roads

Rail Transport

Trains are great for carrying passengers comfortably and transporting goods like coal, petrol, grains, cement, and heavy machinery.

1. Metro rail systems in cities like Delhi and Kolkata make transportation easy and fast for people.
2. The Indian government is always working to make rail transport better.
3. They've laid down new tracks for goods trains and super-fast trains for passengers.
4. India has the fourth largest railway network globally, following Russia, the USA, and Canada.
   
   Metro rail in Delhi

Water Transport

Moving things by water is the cheapest way, especially for heavy stuff. Ships can carry people or goods. Big ships carry oil and petroleum. It facilitates foreign trade.

1. India has a long coastline and has 13 big ports controlled by the Central Government.
2. There are also 200 smaller ports managed by State Governments.
3. Since traveling by sea is slow, big ships are used to carry heavy stuff. Ships are made to carry things like petroleum, fruits, metals, and containers of goods.
4. Major ports on the Western coast include Kandla, Mumbai, Marmugao, New Mangalore, and Kochi. Every state on the Western coast has at least one big port.
5. On the southeastern coast, there are ports like Tuticorin, Ennore, Chennai, Vishakapatnam, Paradeep, and the joint port Kolkata-Haldia.

Inland Waterways

1. Inland waterways, such as the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Krishna, and Mahanadi rivers, serve as important routes for cargo transportation.
2. The Ganga River, designated as National Waterway No.1, spans from Allahabad to Haldia, covering approximately 1620 kilometers.
3. Large boats can navigate between Allahabad and Patna on the Ganga River.
4. Despite their importance, inland waterways face competition from railways and road transport.
5. Challenges like lack of funding, construction of dams, silting, and irregular floods and droughts hinder the development and maintenance of inland water routes.

India – Network of Railways

Air Transport

Air transport is the fastest but also the most expensive mode of transportation.

1. In India, it's limited in reach and often requires support from other modes of transport. Currently, air transport faces issues like overcrowding and tough competition.
   
2. India has a favorable position in international air routes.
3. Indian Airlines is a government-run entity, while Jet Airways, Sahara Airlines, Deccan Aviation, Spice Jet, Go Airways, and Kingfisher Airlines are privately operated.
4. Major cities and numerous others in India are connected by air route

Economic Impact

• Despite airlines possibly running at a loss, air transport significantly boosts the economy.
• Cargo-carrying airships play a crucial role, although they are more expensive than ships or road transport, they save time.

Role of Helicopters

• Helicopters are valuable in reaching places inaccessible by other means of transport.
• They're not commonly used for regular passenger travel but serve vital roles in the military, medical services, tourism, and various surveys.
• Pawan Hans Helicopter Ltd., a public company, provides services to ONGC for offshore operations and is utilized by various state governments.